NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Bell is being recognized as part of “Hometown Hall of Famers,” a national program honoring the hometown roots of the sport’s greatest coaches, players, and contributors with special ceremonies and plaque dedication events in local communities.

The event is sponored by the by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Allstate Insurance Company.

A former high school standout at Cleveland High in Shelby before integration, Bell will be presented with his “Hometown Hall of Famer” plaque during a special ceremony at 1:15 p.m. Friday at Shelby’s Lloyd Little Gymnasium. The plaque will remain there permanently to serve as an inspiration for the school’s students and athletes. The presentation will be made by Bell’s son, Bobby Bell Jr.

In addition to the plaque, a commemorative Bobby Bell “Hometown Hall of Famers” road sign will be on display in Shelby.

A linebacker at the University of Minnesota, Bell was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 1963 NFL Draft, but opted to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs after being selected in the seventh round of the 1963 AFL Draft.

Originally used as a defensive end, he was shifted to outside linebacker in the Chiefs’ “Stack Defense.” He was named All-AFL or All-NFL every year from 1965 through 1971 and selected to nine Pro Bowls during his career. That included two Super Bowl appearances with the Chiefs winning the title in 1970 with a 23-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

In his career, Bell intercepted 26 passes, returning six for touchdowns, and played in 168 consecutive games.

Bell was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and was the first Kansas City Chiefs player to receive that prestigious honor.